No Sindh govt official attends KU's 27th convocation

1,961 degrees, 168 gold medals awarded to students

KARACHI: Despite numerous claims and promises, no Sindh government official attended the 27^th annual convocation of Karachi University (KU) on Saturday.

In the last seven consecutive convocations, the Sindh governor, who is also the chancellor of the university, has not attended the event. This year, the first with a new governor, was no different. Instead of attending the convocation of the largest public university in the city, Governor Muhammad Zubair attended a private event held by an educational non-governmental organisation at a local hotel.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Education Minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar also failed to attend. However, Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz leader Nehal Hashmi and former education minister Pir Mazharul Haq graced the event with their presence.



Addressing the audience of around 8,000 people comprising faculty members, dignitaries, students and parents, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan said he was trying to resolve the financial issues of the university. He announced that the Higher Education Commission has allocated Rs3 billion for KU and the PC-1 is ready.

"We have developed a programme to provide financial support and scholarships to a number of students from our own resources," said Dr Khan, adding that the infrastructure of the university was designed to cater to the needs of 2,500 students, which has now increased to more than 35,000.

"Our facilities improved with time but could not keep up with the pace of the increasing number of students," he said, adding that their buildings, teaching laboratories, classrooms, roads, security and transport need to be updated. The VC said he is concerned over the prolonged delay in holding selection boards for the promotion of faculty members. "I am gathering information on this and have directed the office concerned to arrange selection boards immediately," he said.



Dr Khan said the government has approved Rs526 million for the reconstruction of the water and sewerage system at the campus and has already provided a grant of Rs100 million. However, I have requested to increase the grant and am pushing for another Rs600 million grant, he disclosed.

MQM's Hassan, however, criticised the Sindh government officials for their absence from the event and said it showed that KU is not their priority at all. "They are behaving like a stepmother with the students of KU and it is sad that no one turned up for the biggest event of the students' lives," he lamented.

Convocation statistics

At the convocation, 1,961 degrees were awarded to students of nine faculties, in which there are 52 departments and 19 research centres. Meanwhile, 168 gold medals were also awarded to students who secured first positions in their respective departments.



Gold medallist from public administration department, Altamash Ahmed, was happy that he received a gold medal among his class of 50 but also complained about the university's lack of facilities. "There are many issues but the teachers here are good and keep us motivated to work hard," he said.

Former VC Dr Zafar Saeed Saifi, who was conferred with the degree of DSc in pharmaceutical chemistry, rejoiced that his hard work had paid off. "I have been working on research since 1963," said Dr Saifi, who was the VC from 2001 to 2004.